Two-Time Olympic Judo Gold Medalist Kayla Harrison Signs with World Series of Fighting

The promotion confirmed the signing of the two-time gold medalist
on Thursday following an initial report from
MMAjunkie.com. A date for Harrison’s debut is unclear, but she
will also serve as a commentator and brand ambassador for the Las
Vegas-based promotion.

According to the report, Harrison will make her first appearance
during the broadcast of WSOF’s Dec. 31 card in New York.

“I’ve been boxing and doing jiu-jitsu and all that, and the biggest
thing for me, really, is that I miss competing,” Harrison told
MMAjunkie.com. “I miss fighting on the highest stages of the world,
and the World Series of Fighting really gave me a great
opportunity.”

Harrison won gold medals in both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics in judo
at 78 kilograms, which is approximately 172 pounds. After winning
gold in Rio de Janeiro earlier this year, Harrison initially
shot down an immediate move to MMA.

“After a [judo] match, you shake the person’s hand and you give
them a hug, and you bow to them to show respect,” she said when
speaking to media after her gold medal victory. “In MMA, it’s not
like that, and I don’t know if I’m made – I don’t know if I’m cut
out for a world where you get fights based on how pretty you are
and how much you talk, and not necessarily what you’re worth in the
ring.

“So for me, right now, it’s just going to be focus on being a
two-time Olympic champion, enjoy the moment, live in the moment,
and never say never – but right now, the answer is no to MMA.”

Clearly that perspective has changed, but it still could be a while
before Harrison debuts in the WSOF cage. According to the report,
Harrison expects to need at least a year of training before
accepting her first fight.